Hi Kloe. Living in Tennessee, I SEE the national obesity epidemic for children and adults on a daily basis. I think that nation wide there will have to be as much media focused on healthy eating and living as there is on eating fast food, colas, and candy (otherwise known as children’s breakfast cereals).

Specifically in Tennessee there needs to be an emphasis on healthy eating and daily exercise such as walking. There should also be increased emphasis by local governments to require sidewalks and safe cross walks to encourage people to walk instead of drive. Overall, I think our diets here have a lot of room for improvement.

Specifically for children, there should be at least an hour of daily activity built into the shool day…P.E., recess, children’s yoga, walking, jogging, etc. Children should receive healthy breakfasts and lunches at schools with fewer pizza, hotdog and hamburger choices or at least healthier options of the kid favorites…like turkey dogs, cheese pizza with no fatty meats, etc.

Yes, I have read the articles detailing the average weight of children, the rise in diabetes and such. But more than that I have seen the stores start carrying larger childrens sizes. When I work with school groups always have some chubby little kids who don’t have the energy and stamina to go on hikes.

2) If the answer is yes, what do YOU think should be done to reverse it?

Our culture needs to change. Those changes need to start in the home and with consumer demand. Children need to have good role models in their teachers and in their parents. We must lead by example. If we buy wholesome foods the market will respond.

I’ve been impressed with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Start with the school lunch programs and educate the public using peer leaders and social pressure. It’s a grass roots type of movement, but if it catches on has a good chance to help many people.

So, Indiana’s one of the fattest states in the country and I’ve definitely noticed how many MORE chubby little kids there are here than when I lived in the southwest. All you have to do is walk into any Wal-Mart to see the proof. (And in Europe, you see no chubby kids at all!)

I think bad parenting in the ’90s has resulted in fat children in the ’00s as kids continue the poor nutritional habits of their families. I think there is some progress being made nationally but it’s also up to parents to set a good example.